Fired Winthrop president moving out of campus home

Fired Winthrop University President Jamie Comstock Williamson packed a personal vehicle with items from the President’s House, where she lived on campus, and appeared to be moving out Wednesday morning.

Fired Winthrop University President Jamie Comstock Williamson packed a personal vehicle with items from the President’s House, where she lived on campus, and appeared to be moving out Wednesday morning.

The Winthrop Board of Trustees fired Williamson on June 26. Trustees have accused her of violating school policies, lying to the board and acting in a rude and hostile way toward employees. She and her attorney have denied the allegations.

Under her employment contract, Williamson and her husband, Larry, are permitted to remain in the President’s House for 90 days after termination. The Williamsons moved into the home last summer after trustees unanimously selected her to replace retired President Anthony DiGiorgio.

She was chosen by the board on Feb. 15, 2013, took office on July 1, 2013, and was fired on June 26. Just five days shy of Williamson’s first anniversary as Winthrop’s 10th president, trustees said they’d lost trust in her and found “clear and convincing” evidence to fire her.

Immediate termination of her employment came after a two-week suspension. Since then, Winthrop’s Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Debra Boyd has been serving as acting president.

Trustees have not set a timeline for their search for the school’s next president but planned to meet Wednesday night in executive session to discuss presidential matters. It’s unclear whether trustees intend to appoint an interim president or ask Boyd to continue serving until a permanent president is hired.